The Swamp Rabbit is the largest North American cottontail, but has relatively short ears in proportion to its size. It forages for grasses, sedges, some tree seedlings, and other plants in marshy lowlands of the south-central United States. Most cottontails are not territorial, but Swamp Rabbits (and European rabbits) are: males mark their territory by "chinning," using pheromones from a gland on the chin to scent-mark. A home range can encompass up to 20 acres. Litters, usually of three young, are born in nests, and females often adopt orphan young from another nest.

Also known as:
Cane-cutter

Sexual Dimorphism:
None

Length:
Average:
501 mm
Range:
452-552 mm

Weight:
Range:
1,646-2,668 g

References:

Bachman, J., 1837. Observations on the different species of hares (genus Lepus) inhabiting the United States and Canada, p. 319. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 7:282-361.